today’s city guide is devoted to sacramento, california. blogger and freelance writer lisa thibodeau, a 10 year resident of sacramento, was kind enough to write today’s guide to shopping, eating, drinking and entertainment in “sactown”. i hope you’ll enjoy her guide to california’s state capitol as much as i did. thanks, lisa!
CLICK HERE for the full city guide after the jump!
Sacramento Guide for Design*Sponge
Nicknamed “Sactown” or “Sacatomato” Sacramento is the state capitol with a population of 460,000. The beautiful, meandering American River and Sacramento River are its soul, but the leafy, tree lined streets with beautiful Victorian homes are its heart. A harmonious mix of farm land, college town, family-friendly neighborhoods and vibrant city, Sacramento is one of the country’s greenest cities and is easy to navigate and explore.
Downtown and the State Capitol are a must see, but the pulse of the city is Midtown (the grid) which is California-casual, friendly and artsy. Biking, walking and an absence of attitude are Midtown tenets. Dining in Sacramento is a jackpot of ethnic diversity, locally-sourced, organic ingredients and hip ambience. A monthly art gallery walk, called Second Saturday an energetic tour of local music, food and artists is always packed and a great year round climate makes outdoor living popular.
People love to say that the great thing about Sacramento is that in two hours you can be in San Francisco, Napa or Tahoe and that’s true. But for those of us who live here we know Sacramento to have a small-town vibe, many vintage charms, affordable living and a collaborative spirit that runs, like the river, through it. Welcome!
Shop:
B. Sakata Garo (Midtown) Beautiful, brick gallery showcasing established artists and emerging local talent. A quiet, modern refuge.
Design Within Reach (Midtown) Good size store jam packed with the chain’s modern goodies and a few unexpected finds.
Dish (Land Park) Mid-century dishes, kitchenware and small appliances, plus a museum with well-preserved pieces from the 1930’s to the 1960’s.
Fringe (Broadway) Antiques, furniture, fashion and accessories all happily co-mingle in this style savvy spot. Pluck funky lamps, local handbags and recycled jewels by Potluck Paris.
Haus (Midtown) Refined and elegant, Haus is the source for furniture, lighting, wall décor, flooring and design services. Barbara Cosgrove lamps, Ann Sacks tile and Barclay Butera furniture to name a few.
Koukla Kids (Midtown) Well-edited collection of clothes and toys for the sippy cup crowd, plus over the top tutu’s and puppet shows!
La Maison Marche (East Sac) Everything from crystal chandeliers to Bella Notte linens to The Laundress home keeping. Fantastique!
Le Petite Paris (Midtown) Left bank charm in the River City, with fashion, home décor, gifts and an inspiring French café serving tartines, lavender macarons and champagne!
Limn (Arden area) Showroom, art gallery and design studio of modern excellence including Bulthaup kitchens.
Lumens (Midtown) A sparkling, mid-century and modern mecca of lighting and home-wares. Ghost chairs, Jonathan Adler sconces, George Nelson pendant lights and Alessi accessories.
(Midtown) Inside the “Sac” building are more than 20 artist’s studios including sculptors, photographers, digital artists and a gallery.
Dine:
Biba (Midtown) A memorable dining experience. I’ve only been once, but it was so inspiring that I think of it often. Biba Caggiano is a true Sacramento heroine.
Café Bernardo (Midtown) Consistently great soup/salad/sandwich place with an emphasis on local, seasonal and healthy. The mashed potatoes are heaven.
Chicago Fire (Midtown) Chicago-style pizza either thin, stuffed or deep dish with an extensive wine list and for dessert – chocolate chip pie!
Ella Dining Room & Bar (Downtown) Get dressed up and expect a luxurious meal in an elegant, modern setting. Perfect for a celebratory evening.
L Wine Lounge and Urban Kitchen
(Midtown) Hip place next to cool lofts that offers small plates and produce from local farms plus wine tastings and a wine “happy hour”..
Onespeed Pizza (East Sac) The owner/chef is a bicycle enthusiast and lover of slow, simple, comforting food. Great pizza, family-friendly neighborhood place – even a delivery bike service!
Sellands (East Sac) Eat in or better yet grab this gourmet take out and head for McKinley Park. Meatloaf, mac-n-cheese, salads and a dessert case with panna cotta and cannoli!
Tower Cafe (Land Park) Next door to the Tower Theatre, this café is known for brunch, especially their legendary French toast. Garden-patio seating and eclectic menu give it panache.
Zocalo (Midtown) Beautifully decorated 1920’s building serving authentic, rustic Mexican fare.. Small plates, vegetarian options, killer margaritas and house-made potato chips set it apart.
Sweet Spots: (coffee, tea, sweet stuff)
Babycakes (Midtown)Vanilla-vanilla, high hats and red velvet cupcakes for the purists and grasshoppers and pina-colada’s for those wanting an extra kick.
Coffee Garden (Curtis Park) Kid and dog friendly with comfy couches, breakfast and lunch items and even pizza! Oh, and good coffee, too!
Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates (Midtown) Sublime chocolates, house-made ice cream bars, frozen hot chocolate and swoon-worthy macarons. Worth every single calorie!
Hina’s Tea (Midtown) Over 350 types of tea to get your Zen on. Sip white-tea lemonade in the calm, unfussy tea-house for a healthy lift and take some of the delicious Mexican Winter (a guava-chili!) home.
Marie’s Donut’s (Curtis Park) If you’re up at 2:00a.m.-and hey, who isn’t- then you can get a fresh, hot cruller from the walk up window! Better yet, sleep in then go for maple bars to savor with the paper.
Old Soul Coffee (Midtown) Grab a cup of “whiskey dreams” a moka-java blend and a house-baked scone to power up for the day of exploring “the grid”.
Temple Fine Coffee & Tea (Downtown) Voted “best sanctuary for the caffeinated” this is coffee to worship!
Organic, fair-trade and crafted as art, take the time to savor your expertly foamed cappuccino.
See:
American River Parkway Trail (walk/bike/hike) Cycle, walk or roller blade the over 30 paved-miles with inspiring scenery or float down the spectacular river.
California State Railroad Museum (Old Sac) Train lovers will relish the well-preserved cars and kids who dig Thomas will squeal. Ride a real steam engine next door April through September.
Capitol Park (Midtown) Tour the capitol, explore the beautiful setting and check out the newly planted edible garden.
Crest Theatre (Downtown) Gorgeous Art Deco theatre featuring comedy, music and films – even the French Film Festival. The colorful marquee is worth a drive-by.
Crocker Art Museum (Downtown) A gift to Sacramento in the late 1800’s by the Crocker family which houses great collections of California art among others. Free admission on Sundays from 10 to 1.
McKinley Park (East Sac) Rose garden, duck pond, playground, tennis courts and a library. A great place to jog, walk, play frisbee or have a shady picnic.
The Fab 40’s Neighborhood (East Sac) Coveted streets in the 40’s (off J Street) which boast old stately homes, wide, tree-canopied streets and plenty of room to cycle or walk.
Tower Theatre (Land Park)
Famous Sacramento landmark which plays indie and lesser-known films and concerts in a comfy, nostalgic setting.
UC Davis Mondavi Center for the Arts (Davis) Big city performing arts on the farm (not to mention bike) friendly UC Davis campus.
William Land Park (Land Park) Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town, Funderland and a large greenbelt with a duck pond.. It doesn’t get any kid friendlier than this!
Sleep:
The Delta King (Old Sac)
Floating history.
The Inn and Spa At Parkside (Downtown) Serene luxury.
Sheraton Grand Hotel (Downtown) Super-swanky.
Quirky Stuff:
shops
Bows and Arrows (Midtown) Funky vintage clothes and furniture with an emphasis on the 1970’s. A couple of notches above a thrift store.
Hot Italian (Midtown) A pizza place, but also a boutique with motor, scooter, cycle gear and cool Italian imports.
eats
Pancake Circus (Broadway) If you don’t find clowns freaky, then head over for dinner-plate size cakes with blueberry sauce and whipped cream. Kitsch factor is high.
Tex Wasabi’s (Arden area) Food Network star, Guy Fieri’s fusion of BBQ and sushi. Where else can you get a roll called the “carburetor” with a side of cowboy slaw?
Read:
The Sac Bee (newspaper)
Sacramento Magazine (magazine)
Sactown Magazine (magazine)
Sacramento Parent Magazine (magazine)
Second Saturday (website)
Midtown Grid (website)
